Biren Singh Seeks Public Updates on Biometric Registration of Myanmar Immigrants in Manipur

Former Manipur Chief Minister calls for greater transparency in identifying undocumented Myanmar nationals, citing border security and Mizoram’s progress in biometric enrolment.

Imphal, November 3, 2026: The progress of biometric registration of undocumented Myanmar nationals in Manipur has come under renewed attention, with former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh calling on the state government to make information about the identification exercise regularly available to the public.

Singh has urged the Manipur Home Department to disclose how many individuals have undergone biometric enrolment and how many identities have been verified, arguing that greater transparency would help address public concerns about border management and security.

His remarks, made through a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, followed reports that neighbouring Mizoram was approaching the completion of its own biometric registration exercise involving refugees from Myanmar.

Biren Singh Calls for Transparency in Immigration Records

The former Chief Minister emphasised that the issue of monitoring undocumented immigration should be approached as a matter of public interest and security rather than political confrontation.

According to Singh, providing periodic information on the progress of biometric identification would allow the public to better understand the steps being taken by the authorities.

He maintained that the government should disclose the number of individuals whose biometric details have been collected, along with the progress made in verifying their identities.

“This is not about politics. It is about national security, safeguarding our borders and protecting the future of our people,” Singh stated in his X post.

He further suggested that transparent reporting would reinforce public confidence in the government’s efforts to protect Manipur’s security and the interests of indigenous communities.

Mizoram’s Biometric Enrolment Drive Draws Attention

Singh referred to Mizoram’s progress in registering Myanmar refugees as an example of systematic monitoring and documentation.

According to reports published on November 2, Mizoram’s biometric enrolment programme had reached approximately 99.9 per cent coverage, with the vast majority of Myanmar refugees residing in the state already registered.

State Home Department officials reported that biometric information had been recorded for 29,763 of the 29,792 Myanmar refugees included in the exercise.

The registration programme, undertaken following directions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to maintain identification records of refugees who entered India after unrest in Myanmar.

Pointing to the neighbouring state’s progress, Singh suggested that Manipur should also make its biometric registration figures accessible through regular official updates.

Over 24,000 Myanmar Nationals Detected in Manipur, Assembly Told

The renewed discussion comes against the backdrop of figures previously presented in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

On September 7, 2026, Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam informed the Assembly that authorities had detected 24,475 individuals identified by the state government as illegal immigrants from Myanmar.

The district-wise figures presented in the Assembly were:

• Chandel: 14,370 individuals
• Kamjong: 6,545 individuals
• Tengnoupal: 3,560 individuals

The minister also stated that 14,992 of those detected had been sent back to Myanmar, while others remained in temporary accommodation or designated shelters.

During the Assembly proceedings, the government outlined measures involving identification, verification and monitoring of undocumented foreign nationals in border districts.

These figures relate to the overall detection exercise and should not be interpreted as the number of people whose biometric registration has been completed.

Border Monitoring Remains a Major Concern

Manipur shares an international boundary with Myanmar, making cross-border movement and the documentation of foreign nationals important administrative and security issues.

Political instability and armed conflict in Myanmar have led to population movements into neighbouring Indian states, including Manipur and Mizoram.

While Mizoram has been recording the biometric details of people seeking refuge, Manipur has pursued identification and verification measures in its border districts.

Singh’s latest appeal has brought attention to the need for clearer public information about the status of Manipur’s biometric registration programme.

For now, the former Chief Minister’s central demand remains focused on regular disclosure of identification and verification figures so that the public can assess the progress of the exercise.

Sources: PTI, Manipur government DIPR-attributed Assembly proceedings, and Mizoram Home Department information reported by The Times of India.